Digital Music News - A Question for AT&T: Why the Total Fiction on 3G?

A Question for AT&T: Why the Total Fiction on 3G?

Saturday, July 10, 2010
by presnikoff

Most iPhone users have struggled with the AT&T network at one point or another. Or, in many cases, every day. The connection depends on location and time of day (user congestion), though nightmare stories are easy to find. And, in our home base of Los Angeles, the AT&T 3G network frequently grinds to a halt - not just for apps, maps, and internet surfing, but also for phone calls and even text messages.

This is a problem that is only getting worse, especially in dense iPhone markets. But Pandora has managed to perform quite solidly over the past two months, particularly in the testing grounds of Chicago, Washington, DC, and even LA. That could be attributable to continued bandwidth management by the company, something Pandora founder Tim Westergren says will mitigate pressures from newly-installed bandwidth caps.

Still, the iPhone has a funny way of feeling like a lightweight brick at the worst moments. And that makes AT&T claims of a stunning 3G network seem totally laughable - if not outright insulting. A recent series of Luke Wilson ads promoting a "better 3G experience" than Verizon comes to mind, though other examples are not hard to find.

That includes an AT&T interstitial ad now running on Pandora itself, one that urges users to "Rethink Possible" and "surf the web on the nation's fastest 3G network while you listen to Pandora." Sounds like fun, when it works, though the broader issue is whether slower network connections are cramping iPhone growth - and handing more competitive opportunities to Android and Blackberry.

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Comments (3)

Jack Sunday, July 11, 2010

I feel sorry for AT&T users in America and a little bit sorry for Apple having to maintain it's exclusivity contract with AT&T (unless they don't have to, in which case, it's unfortunate to users). Steve Jobs has on many occasions paid out AT&T both subtly and bluntly on their poor network.

The problem with the iPhone in the States is that often the reputation of the device is hinged on the network it starts out on, not the many networks it ends up on around the world that make the iPhone just that much more desirable. Imagine if the iPhone was able to used on a strong, fast, robust network in the US? It would sell many more, despite strong sales regardless. It would be absolutely huge, despite being absolutely huge already.

I'm personally using Telstra's Next-G network in Australia and I know, from experience, that it's widely regarded as one of the best 3G networks in the world. I'm constantly receiving five bars of reception, decent data speeds and have had no calls whatsoever drop out or fail to initiate at all in the many years I've been with them. It's just a fantastic, robust network. Perfect for the iPhone.

If Apple has a way out of this AT&T-based reputation, then I'm sure they would get out quick smart. Not only would this increase sales, it would also increase the States' reputation of the iPhone in general, decoupling its reputation as slow and prone to drop calls.

Meanwhile I'll enjoy using my iPhone for what it's designed. A quality smartphone on a quality network.

GrayPowell Sunday, July 11, 2010

Jack, there is certainly that argument. A faster network would sell a lot more iPhones in the U.S. But I always wonder if the iPhone is really part of the problem also, because it is to data intensive and demanding. Australia has just a tiny population compared to the US, seems like demands are way higher on a network here.

iTouch Sunday, July 11, 2010

I'm on Sprint. I won't be switching to AT&T anytime soon. But the iTouch rumors sound interesting. All the features of the iPhone plus voice via wifi.

I wouldn't drop my current service to depend on wifi calling, but if the price is right, it might be a good addition.

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